Semi-final preview: Ruud v Zverev Roland-Garros The official site

On Friday he will compete in his fourth semi-final and this time, he must feel that he has his best chance.

True, he is playing Casper Ruud who beat him here last summer but, in many respects, that result does not count. The German was still coming back from the ankle injury he sustained in the 2022 semi-final and by the time he faced Ruud he was struggling with a range of physical issues.

This time he is ready; this time he is fully fit and match tight.

“I want to win one,” Zverev said simply. “I want to be in the finals. That's my main focus. I’m happy to be where I am. Casper is a great player. He’s made two finals in a row, third semi-final in a row, that speaks for itself. He's one of the best players on this surface, for sure. I think I have to play my best tennis to have a chance. But I can go five sets again. But I also do know that it's better not to.”

His record against Ruud is played four, won two. The Norwegian might be one of the best clay court players around but, then again, so is Zverev.